Belgian Prison Staff Plan January 26 Strike Over Rising Violence

Belgium (Eurotoday) – Belgian prison staff plan a strike on January 26, 2025, to protest escalating violence and demand government action for safer working conditions.

Due to the rise in violence against prison staff in Belgium, a strike notice has been announced for January 26, 2025, at 10 p.m. This strike will affect all prisons in the country, not just Haren Prison. The decision comes after many recent attacks, including burning prison guards’ cars with Molotov cocktails and threats made to a staff member at their home. 

The workers’ union is asking the Belgian government to take immediate action. They want the Minister of Justice and other important ministers to collaborate on a plan. This plan should ensure that prison staff can work in safe conditions and feel secure both at work and at home, where they are facing more threats and attacks.

How will Belgium address rising violence against prison staff?

According to authorities, the planned strike is a reaction to worries about the safety of correctional officers. Their jobs are getting more dangerous because of rising aggression. Recent attacks highlight the need for better protection. The union thinks that without a quick response from the authorities, prison staff will stay at risk.

The strike aims to send a message to the government. It demands that the safety of prison workers be a top priority. As the strike approaches, it is clear that prison staff will not accept ongoing threats. They want a strong commitment from the government to protect them in their work and personal lives.

On the night of January 14 to 15, 2025, an incident took place outside the home of a worker from the Haren Penitentiary Institution in Brussels. A Molotov cocktail was thrown at the front door, causing a lot of fear and concern. This worker has faced threats before because of their job, with similar incidents happening in 2024.  This recent attack is part of a larger pattern of intimidation against prison staff in Belgium.

The situation at Haren Prison is serious. It is one of the largest and newest prisons in Belgium. On January 2, 2025, a person threw a Molotov cocktail at a prison guard’s car. The car caught fire in the parking lot. The flames also damaged two other cars, but no one was injured. Many people are talking about the need for better security and protection for these workers. There is a need to make sure they are safe in their jobs.

In January 2025, there were many worrying arson attacks on prison staff in Belgium. The Molotov cocktail at a prison guard’s car at Haren Prison was the first attack of several violent acts. The union for prison workers strongly condemned these threats. They pointed out that this was the third case of arson in just one month. The situation shows a dangerous rise in violence. These attacks seem to be aimed at scaring and threatening prison employees.

The union for prison workers is calling for quick action. They say it is “high time” to stop the attacks on staff. They mentioned that these recent attacks show that security needs to be better. Prison workers in Belgium need more protection from harm. They need to blank”>feel safe as the hostility against them increases.